Nicolas stares at me blankly for a second, and then he frowns and nods.
“I… Yes, maybe I should have. …I’m sorry. I think I hyperfixated on how to make things better, and I realize now how notifying you of my plan might have made things less… confusing or worrisome for you. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize!” I cry out. “This… This is so thoughtful!”
I feel the tears coming again, but this time, these are good ones! My God, I can’t believe I was so worried about our future, whether I’d even see him again, and there he was, running errands around Boston to collect our cats and my suitcase!
He is struggling a bit to carry everything, and our kitties aren’t quite happy mid-air either, so I quickly grab the carrier tobring them inside, and he rolls my suitcase and his bag behind me.
“Hello, my fur babies!” I grin at the two of them, opening their carrier on the ground. “Did you behave well at the hotel?”
“The staff assured me they did,” Nicolas replies. “They ate and slept well.”
Muffin gives me a little of his usual grouchy meow, letting us know he isnotquite happy with all the inconvenience, but Coconut darts out and sniffs around like this is his first time home. I can’t believe they’re here! I didn’t realize how empty my apartment looked without our pair of fluffballs patrolling their whiskers around.
“Thank you for collecting them,” I tell Nicolas.
He nods, and suddenly things feel a bit… awkward? No, I can’t have that.
I take a deep breath and force myself to smile. Because I want things to be good between us, and I want him to know I really appreciate the gesture. Now that I think about it, I guess he thought bringing me home to let me wind down and warm myself up while he ran errands around Boston would help… and I really appreciate it.
I roll my suitcase, and on a whim, I decide to open it right there, in my tiny living room. Of course, it’s exactly as I left it, everything neatly packed, with my emerald dress right on top… I chuckle.
“It’s funny, I got so upset over wearing a dress,” I think out loud. “I think I just wanted to feel pretty, but… you always make me feel pretty.”
I smile at Nicolas, who nods, quietly puts his bag down, and sits on the couch behind me. It’s fine if he doesn’t quite feel like talking yet. I decide I can talk for the two of us.
“Look,” I smile, taking out my accessories. “I found these cute bows that were the perfect match in color. I would haveworn them with my hair in buns, like you love. Maybe I’ll wear it for one of our dates?”
“I’m sure it will look great,” Nicolas nods. “…Would you like to go out for dinner tonight?”
It takes me all of five seconds to think of my answer. But I’m genuinely touched that Nicolas would ever consider it, after he got so overwhelmed at my parents’ house…
“No,” I shake my head. “I have a much better idea.”
I keep pulling out my stuff, including the few presents I had packed for my family and his, which I’ll think about later. Then I find them. The pair of cozy fleece pajamas is still held together by red bows, just like how I found them in the shop. They’re completely matching: the tops are a nice creamy white with brown hems and patterns of hot cocoa, gingerbread men, candy canes, and slices of chocolate bûche, and the bottoms are entirely brown. I can’t help but smile as I take them out; I’ve always loved everything Christmas, but this is the best!
Still, I feel a bit shy as I present it to Nicolas. He gingerly takes it, his blue eyes scouring over the little designs, his fingers testing out the fabric.
“Do you like them?” I ask nervously. “I wanted to give it to you on Christmas Eve. I had this grand idea of us sleeping in matching pajamas and waking up together on Christmas morning… I know it’s silly, but I’ve always envied those couples who match in Christmas movies, you know? I realize now we wouldn’t have had much time to enjoy them, with how fast we had to leave…”
“I love it,” Nicolas declares, his eyes still on the pajamas.
“Really?” I ask.
“Yes. The fabric is… really nice.”
“Right?” I beam proudly. “I made sure to get one of those fabrics you like, and no visible string or stitching either.”
He looks up at me, looking genuinely surprised. I’m a bit nervous for a second, and wondering why he seems so… shocked?
“If you don’t like it, we can—”
“Can we wear them now?”
I blink at him.
“Now?”
